Duck decoy



Oct. l2, 1954 w. L. RICHARDSON DUCK DECOY 2 Sheets-Sheet, l

Filed May 23, 1953.

W. L. RICHARDSON Oct. l2, 1954 DUCK DECOY Filed May 23I 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 2 F fg. 3

/0 Fig.4

Will/'0m )WCM/080m I N V EN TOR- Auonejs Patented Oct. 12', 1954 UNITEDsTATes yATENT oFFlc-E 6 Glaims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a duck decoyand more specifically pertains to an improved duck decoy which shall becapable of remote control by a hunter in a duck blind for morerealistically simulating the life-like movements` of a duck.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a remotely controlledanimated duck decoy wherein the position of the duck upon the water maybe varied or shifted as desired; wherein the head of the duck may bemoved; and wherein the wings of the duck may be caused to have both ahorizontal and vertical movement to simulate the flapping of the duckswings.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of theinvention, which will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodimentof which has been illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a Vertical central sectional view through a duck decoyincorporating therein the principles of this invention, the duck beingshown in its normal or rest position;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the decoy of Figure 1,taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the broken section line2 2 of Figure 1, and alternative position of the wings being indicatedin dotted lines therein;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but indicating the remote controlfor operating the duck,

the latter being indicated in another position of its adjustment;

Figure i is a vertical transverse sectional View, taken` substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the broken section line 4-4 of Figure 2 andshowing certain details of the internal constructionand operatingmechanism of the decoy; and,

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional detail view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5 5 of Figure1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, itwill be seen that the numeral Ill designates generally the body portionof the decoy which simulates both in shape, size and appearance the bodyof a. duck, which is mounted upon a mounting means or supporting keelmember I2.

It should be here understood that both the body I0 and the supportingkeelA member I2 may beformed of various suitable and convenientmaterials, the principles of this invention being nowise limitedthereby.

Preferably the bottom of the duck body I is provided with a flat bottomwall or supporting base IllV which adjacent its midpoint is hingedlyconnected as by a hinge IIjto the Supporting keel member I2 for movementabout an axis which is horizontal and extends transversely of the duckbody and, of the supporting keel member I2.

The supporting keel member I2 is provided upon its upper surfacel with apair of angularly related supporting surfaces, the surface indicated atIt being substantially horizontal, while that indicated at 2E) isslightly inclined to the surface iii, and adjoins the same at about theaxis of the horizontally disposed pivot or hinge I6.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the body It is so mounted on the supportingmember or keel I2 that the bottom wall or base I4 of the body may beselectively positioned upon the horizontal supporting surface IS, atwhich time the duckV body is in\its normal floating position, toAsimulate the actual position of a duck floating in the water; or thebody may be pivoted to the position shown in Figure 3, at which time therear portion ofthe bottom wall I4 will be disposed at close relation tothe inclined supporting surface 2d. In this position, the duck body willb e disposed in a manner which closely simulates the bobbing motion of aduck.

The duck body IIl is of hollow construction, having a number of openingstherein for a purpose which will be subsequently apparent, and

is provided with a hollow head 22 which isl supported upon the body Il)by a hollow neck member 21?. The neck 24 is preferably of a resilientmaterial such as rubber or the like whereby the same may be readilystretched. or' distorted by a mechanism-to be subsequently set forth, tothereby impart relative movement to the duck head 22.

Conveniently, an anchor cable 26 may be attached to the support memberI2 for anchoring the same in a suitable location before the blind of ahunter. This anchoring cable provided with any suitable anchor, notshown, is attached to an eyelet at the end of a bolt or similar member28 which is provided with a further guiding eyelet 30 intermediate itsends vfor a purpose which will be subsequently apparent.

A remote control mechanism is providedy whereby the hunter may controland manipulate the motions of the duck, of its head and wings from hisconcealed position behind the duck blind. This remote control means mayconveniently comprise a supporting standard 32 provided with a pointedlower extremity 34 by means of whichv the same may be mounted in theearth, the standard having rotatably journaled upon its upper end ahandwheel 3E with a grooved pulley 38 mounted thereon. Adjacent itslower end, the standard 32 is provided with apair of guide pnlleys 4cand 42. The control means further includes an endless flexible cable ofany desired character this cable having two flightsor reaches filli andllwhichai'e entrainednover the pulley 35, being wound thereabout tocause rotation ofthecable, and being entrained over the guide pulleysdi) and 42. The nights of the cable then extend below the water to theduck decoy. One flight, such as that indicated at 46, may pass beneaththe supporting member l2, through guide eyelets 48 thereon, and throughthe eyelet 3U of the member 23, and is thence passed upwardly through aguiding notch 5B disposed in the forward end of the supporting memberl2, and upwardly into the body of the duck decoy. Upon the front wall ofthis body, there are provided a pair of guiding pulleys 52 and ed whichare suitably rotatably mounted upon the body of the duck, and preferablywithin the same as shown, the llight 46 of the cable passing into theinterior of the duck through the slot 56 adjacent the pulley 54.

From the pulley 5G, the cable then passes over the guide pulley 58carried by a suitable transverse supporting bar 6Fl within the interiorof the duck, and thence over a further guide pulley s 62 carried by asecond crossbar 614. From the guide pulley E2, the cable passesdownwardly and thence is wound about a large pulley or drum 6E,journaled between supporting standards S8, E8 within the body of theduck, and from thence the cable continues as the cable flight M, aiurther guide pulley 'lil carried by a transverse support bar l2 in thebody of the duck, thence downwardly through a slot or opening le in therear wall of the duck, and over a guide pulley lli mounted upon the rearend of the inclined surface 2G of the keel I2.

From the foregoing, it will now be understood that upon rotation of thecontrol wheel 36, the

endless cable will be caused to move forward or backward upon itsassociated series of pulleys, and during this travel of the cableoscillation or rotation will be imparted to the large pulley 66.

This oscillating travel of the endless cable is utilized to directlyimpart the rocking or bobbing motion of the duck body it about itstransverse horizontal axis of its hinged connection i6; and also toimpart life-like movement to the wings of the duck body as well as tothe head of the same.

To eiect this bobbing motion, a portion of the cable disposed betweenthe pulleys 5B and 62 xedly secured thereto a stop member i8 which thuspartakes of the oscillating travel of the cable. The two pulleys '58 andE2 constitute ,Y

abutments which limit travel of the stop member '5B in oppositedirections. It will therefore be evident that when the cable is rotatedor oscillated in such a manner as to cause the stop 'is to engage thepulley 58 which constitutes an abutment, continued movement of the cablein that direction will cause the duck body to pivot forwardly anddownwardly until the same as sumes the `position shown in Figure i withthe bottom of the duck resting upon the horizontal support surface i8.However, upon reverse movement of the cable, the stop i8 will movetowards and engage the pulley 52 which constitutes an abutment therefor,and continued movement of the cable will then cause a backward anddownward pivoting movement of the duck body until the same assumes theposition shown in Figure 3. It will thus be seen that the movement ofthe stop lil between the two abutments causes and controls the pivotingmovement of the duck body e upon its mounting or supporting keel meansi2.

In accordance with this invention, the stop member i8 is also utilizedto eiect movement of the head 22 in synchronization with the bobbing orrocking movement of the body upon its supporting member. For thatpurpose, there is provided an actuating lever Se which at its upper endis provided with a transverse supporting pin 82 which is anchored inoppositely disposed integral projections 84 within thehead 22 of theduck, as shown particularly in Figure 5. Adjacent its lower end, thelever is provided with a further pivot pin 86 which is similarlyanchored in integral oppositely disposed inward projections 38 formingthe lower portion of the neck 24. The bottom or end portion of the leverBil, indicated at Si), is apertured to permit passage of the cabletherethrough, thereby when the stop 'i8 is in the position shown inFigure 3, the lever and consequently the ducks neck will be free toassume their normal rest position. However, when the cable is moved tocause the stop 'i8 to move over to the abutment *53, the stop willengage and carry with it the end portion 9B of the lever 8S moving thelatter to the position shown in Figure l. This movement of the leverwill distort the neck of the duck from the position shown in Figure 3 tothe position shown in Figure l, thereby causing a realistic movement ofthe ducks neck and head.

The natural resiliency of the ducks neck may be relied to restore theneck and head to their normal position when the stop 'iii is withdrawnfrom engagement with the extremity 8c of the lever. However, it ispreferred to provide a resilient or stiff wire 92 having its upper endanchored as by a pin ,fifi within the head of the duch, and having itslower extremity anchored by a pin 95 suitably secured within the body ofhe duck. The inherent resiliency of the Spring will tend to restore theneck and head to the position shown in Figure l, but will permitdistortion of the neck and head from the position shown in l'igure 1 tothat shown in Figure 3 under the actuation oi the above mentionedmechanism.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4, the sides of the body oi theduck are provided with a pair of Wings lllil which are mounted for bothvertical and horizontal movement to simulate the flapping motion of aducks wings.

For this purpose, the side walls o the duck body are provided with slotslil-2 and actuating arms idd extend through these slots and arepivotally secured to the wings as by the hinged brackets IGS. Thesebrackets are provided with vertically disposed pivots whereby horizontalswinging movement of the wings with respect to the arms lili', will bepermitted, while the wings will move vertically with vertical movementoi the arms lil as set forth hereinafter.

As shown more clearly in Figure e, and also in Figures l and 3, the sidewalls of the duck body, below the slots EQ2, are provided with furtherslots H38 and cables iii are secured to the inside surfaces of the wingsand extend tluough the slots Hl@ into the interior of the duck body,being fastened to tension springs H12, see Figure 2, which in turn areanchored to a crossbar lill within the rear end of the duck body. Thesesprings and cables serve to yieldingly urge the wings into theirhorizontal open position, shown in broken lines in Figure 2, but willyieldingly permit horizontal swinging movement of the wings to a lateralclosed position shown in full lines in Figure 2.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4, the supporting arms i0@ forthe wings are pivoted to vertically disposed pivot pins llc, by whichthe inner ends of the arms are received between the bifurcated ends oflevers H8. The arms |04 can thus swing horizontally about the verticalpivot pins H6 and the levers H8, while the wings |80 may likewise swinghorizontally about the vertical pivot pins of the hinge brackets |06 onthe ends of the arms.

At their mid-portions, the levers H8 are pivotally mounted as at tohorizontal pivot pins carried by fulcrum standards |22 rising from andmounted upon the bottom wall of the duck. It will thus be seen that whenthe levers H8 pivot vertically about their horizontal pivot pins |20,they will carry with them and cause vertical pivoting movement of thewings.

This vertical pivoting movement is effected by means of connecting links|24 which are swivelly attached to the ends of the levers H8, and arepivotally connected to crank arms |26 mounted upon the exterior of thestandards 68 and upon the opposite ends of the axle |28 to which thedrum or pulley 66 is xedly secured.

From the above, it will now be understood that as the pulley 68 isrotated by the remote control device through the flexible cable, avertical pivoting movement will be imparted to the ducks wings causingthe same to raise and lower. This movement will be synchronized with thebobbing or rocking motion of the duck body previously described and withthe movement of the duck head.

Simultaneously with the vertical pivoting movement imparted to the duckswings in the manner previously described, there is provided aninterconnected mechanism for effecting a horizontal swinging movement ofthe wings. This mechanism includes a pair of cables 30, see Figure 2,having their forward ends secured to the abovementioned stop 18, andpassing through guides |32 mounted upon the standards |22, and fromthence passing through the slots |02, where they are attached to theinside surfaces of the Wings at |34. Thus, as the flexible cables areoperated by the remote control, and the stop 18 is moved in anoscillating path or travel therewith, this stop will through the cablesselectively allow the wings to swing horizontally outward from the fullline to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2 and retract thesewings. It will be noted that this horizontal swinging movement of thewings is actually independent i of the vertical swinging movementthereof, although a common actuating means, namely the endless cable isprovided for effecting both motions.

It will thus be seen that the hunter from his concealed position behinda blind is able to very accurately animate and control the motions ofthe duck decoy, producing at will a ducking or bobbing motion of theduck; simultaneously moving its head and imparting a apping motion tothe wings of the duck. It will be appreciated that in some instancescertain of the sub-assemblies of mechanisms hereinbefore described couldbe omitted and the invention could employ with only a part of thepreviously described structure and functions incorporated therein.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of theforegoing specication and accompanying drawings, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, butall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what'is claimed as new is:

l. A duck decoy comprising a body simulating a duck, a keel, meansmounting said body on said keel for vertical pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis of said keel transverse to the longitudinal axis of saidbody, and remote control means connected to said body for causingpivotal movement of said body about said horizontal axis.

2. A duck decoy comprising a body simulating a duck, a keel, meansmounting said body on said keel for vertical pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis on said keel transverse to the longitudinal axis of saidbody, remote control means connected to said body for causing pivotalmovement of said body about said horizontal axis, said body having amovable head, and means within said body for moving said head actuatedby said remote control means.

3. A duck decoy comprising a body simulating a duck, a keel, meansmounting said body on said keel for vertical pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis on said keel transverse to the longitudinal axis of saidbody, remote control means connected to said body for causing pivotalmovement of said body about said horizontal axis, said body havingmovable Wings, and means within said body for causing movement of saidwings and actuated by said remote control means.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said remote control means includesa cable, pulleys secured to and within said body, said cable beingentrained over said pulleys, and a stop xedly secured to a portion ofsaid cable for movement therewith, certain of said pulleys constitutingabutments engageable by said stop for causing said pivotal movement ofsaid body.

5, The combination of claim 1 wherein said keel comprises a memberhaving substantially angularly related adjoining support surfaces, saidbody being pivoted to said member at the juncture of said surfaces, eachsurface constituting a support for said body in one of its pivotedpositions.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said body has a movable head andmovable wings, and separate means within said body for causing movementof said head and wings and actuated by said remote control means.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 547,553 Keller Oct. 8, 1895 814,149 Linebarger Mar. 6, 19061,460,616 Starbuck July 3, 1923 1,831,286 Chelini Nov. 10, 19312,129,781 Park Sept. 13, 1938 2,388,378 Garber Nov. 6, 1945 2,434,335Signalness Jan. 13, 1948 2,457,295 Woodhead Dec. 28, 1948 2,480,390Thompson Aug. 30, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 193,738 GreatBritain 1923

